Galloping

Galloping

A flash of flanks and fetlocks

Horses running free within the paddock

The grass beaten and churned

Into sodden ground

By thumping, pounding hooves

As they wheel away

Heads held high and proud

Distended nostrils

And teeth exposed

Manes flowing in the breeze

Chasing along the fencing rails

At first a trembling trot

Building to a cautious canter

Before breaking into wide-legged gallops

Drumming in steady time

Shoulders and backs bent to the task

Of increasing speed

Careering across the open field

Driven by the memories

Of former glory racing days

And the dash along the final furlong

Now rid of bits and reins and saddles

And high-seated, whipping jockeys

Allowed to frolic unrestrained

Driven by sheer exuberance

Into an ecstasy of sprinting

Coursing round the circuit

Only pulling up at last

When good and ready

With a lung-deep whinney

Panting and straining

To catch their breath

Pleased as punch

Happy with their efforts

Then shambling gently over to the gate

To scrounge a proffered apple

Copyright Andy Fawthrop 2014